Venetian blind



H. NELSON VENETIAN BLIND Oct. '2, 1951 Filed July 2, 1946 R O T N E V m f/arryA/mrz BY I v I Fig.9 M law @444.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 2, 1951 N D sures aseasse' ENEZE QA IN Harry Nelson, ,New York, N. Y., ajss ignor to Lorentzen" Hardware Mfg. (301111, 'New' York, N.-Y., a corporation of New York Application ply; 1946, Serial No.

This invention relates to Venetianblinds, including a special construction of slatsror such blinds.

In the conventional Venetian blind the slats;

are each provided with spaced aperturesthrough which lift-cords are passed. The slats are c'onventionally supported in superimposed spaced relation by ladder tapes. By shiftingthese tapes; customarily accomplishedby canting a tilt bar at the top of the blind, the individual slats maybe simultaneously tilted inqeitherp direction in "order tovary the amount of light passin through the blind. In addition, the blind may be raised by the hitcords, stacking the individualslats upon the bottom rail as itis raised by the lift-cords.

The apertures provided in the individualslats for. the lift-cords arejcustomari1y formed as transverse slots of sufficient length to permit the slats, to tilt as required without flexing the liftcords, The width of the slots is so chosen as to be slightly greater than the diameter ofthe lift cords passing therethroughQwhereby the cords act to maintain the slats in alignment'longitudinally.

In accordance with the present invention, it is ac n t s 1 were 4 97113 F papinglof the apertures of in dividual slats" t-renqe tive and jdiiii'cult 1n operationi A still further f'bject 0' the invention is to generally improve the construction of Venetian blind slatswithoutgsubstantialincrease in cost.

contemplated to have one or more of the apertures in each slat of such size and shape as to definitely position the slat longitudinaly relative to the lift-cord passing therethrough. "Theremaining apertures of each slat may be ofany desired shape, but sufliciently large so as not to I engagethe lift-cords passing therethrough, at lea'stlunless the slat is in extreme tiltedposition. Variousforms of apertures will be disclosedialnd if desired one or'n ore orall of the lift-cord apertures of each slat may beof anyof the formsslatson the lift-cords upon lowering which some.-

timesraises some of .the slats off the transverse portion of the ladder tapes, thus positioningthe slats irregularly.

;A further object of the invention is to provide "clinchedfingers. For the purposes 'ofillustration trpq fda of theydetail ct descriptionwliicli renews; made in my. invention are illustate ccompanying drawings] iorm'n'g part of this ,1 specification; in w ich:

Fig. 1.,is a fragmenta ry p6 grspective view of the lower portion of a venetian incorporating one formoijiny finvention. Fig, 2 is a fragmentaryrvertical section taken onthilineZ-Q-Zlo; Fig; 11" Fig." 3 is a view ofj'a fragment of a Venetian blind slat, showing infplan' view the "aperture: shown in Fig, 2.

Fig. 4 'isia viewsimilar t Fig. 2 with the slat in (hf-gm Fig.5 is a iragnientary vertical section taken on the line 5-star; 'g': '1.

Fig. 6; is a cross section or a Venetian blind slat showing. a odifiedtreatment of fthe slait""edge rm n i 'ethe' i Fig.7 isa'ifie'w s1 modification.

Fig. 8 is aperspective view of a fragment of a slat aving an applied grommet se ured by four blind gment of a Venetian odincation' or the slatshowing a furthe r t'u. Q m 1.

"Fig; 10 isa:detail section taken on the line 9a ar m x g 1;

"conventional teawhich maybe sec 4 A I shown) adjacent V p of thbliiid." The lower ends of the ladder tapes aresecured "to' "a ar of a still further I eferrin'glto Fig. l f jthe drawings, the Vene-' lb in wr t a e "tures, including/foo al adder "tapes ""ll l a 1151i tilflbi' (11017 3 form shown, four lift-cords III- are shown, but the number of lift-cords may be increased or decreased within the scope of my invention. Where the blind is of fairly narrow width, only two liftcords are ordinarily used.

A plurality of slats I are positioned within the laddertapes I I in the conventional way, each having an aperture I6 and one or more apertures II, a lift-cord I4 passing through each aperture. The slats I5 may be formed of any relatively thin sheet material. Sheet steel and aluminum are suitable materials, but plastic and other nonmetallic materials may be used. The slats are preferably resilient and are preferably slightly arched transversely as shown so as to give greater longitudinal rigidity.

Inasmuch as normally all slats in any one blind will be similarly apertured, one slat will be described, it being understood that the remainder of the slats in the blind are preferably similar. The aperture I6 of theslat I5 preferably is a transverse slot formed in the slat interiorly of the edge thereof, as best shown in Fig. 3. The aperture I6 is preferably only slightly wider than the diameter of the lift cord I4. This permits thefree passage of the cord through the aperture, while the cord serves to longitudinally position the slat I5 relative to the cord in order to maintain all of the slats in longitudinal alignment in the blind. Inasmuch as these slats are spaced and supported'by the ladder tapes I I, the tapes maintain the slats in lateral alignment without the assistance of the'lift-cords. Accordingly, the aperture I6 may. be made sufficiently long to permit the tilting of the slats I5 to a nearly vertical position relative to the lift-cord I4, as shown in Fig. 4 as is customary, without affecting the lateral alignment of the slats.

In order to prevent the fraying of the lift-cord l4 by the edge of the slat I5. surrounding the aperture I6, the edge may be lined witha liner or grommet I8. The grommet IB'may be formed of any material supplying a smooth enlarged bearing for engagement of the slat I5 with the lift-cord I4, and it is preferably formed of a thin ductile metal, such as brass or aluminum. It may be applied to the aperture I6 by use of a conventional eyeletting machine.

Other apertures I! of the slat I5 may be formed by stamping out portions of round or other desired outline but of a size to supply a relatively large clearance between the edge of each aperture I1 and its lift-cord I4. In order to provide for tilting of the slat I5, as well as'providing an easily formed aperture, aperture II maybe circular in outline of a diameter approximately equal to the greatest dimension of the aperture I6. v

As best shown in Fig. 1, the slats I5 are maintained in longitudinal alignment by cooperation of one lift-cord I4 with the apertures I6 of the slats collectively, apertures I'I not aiding in maintaining alignmentand being free from contact with lift-cords I4, except, perhaps, when the slats I5 are in fully tilted position. Accordingly, the edges of the slats I5 about-aperture I'I do not fray their lift-cords I4 and there is no necessity for providing a lining or grommet I8 at this point. The grommet I8 obviates fraying of the lift-cord I4 passing therethrough, and the extra clearance between the slat I5.and the lift-cords I4 at apertures I'I permits a much greater tolerance in spacing ofthe apertures without adverse- 1y affecting the action of the blind or the life of the lift-cords. I

Instead of inserting a grommet I8 in the aperture I6 of slat I5, the edge surrounding the aperture may bethickened and provided with a suitable smooth bearing surface by forming the sheet material so as to provide a smoothly rolled homogeneous edge R as shown in Fig. 6 or a homogeneous welted or coined edge 0 as shown in Fig. 7. These modifications are particularly suitable for a slat made of aluminum, plastic, or other easily worked material. While the Fig. '7 modification is difficult to apply to a steel slat, the Fig. 6 modification can be applied to a steel slat without undue difficulty. Both modifications provide a smooth bearing of the slat I5 on the lift-cord.

- Referring to Fig. '8, a grommet I9 consisting of a relatively flat plate 20 having smooth upstanding or rolled edges defining a central elongated aperture 2 I, may be secured in the aperture I6 of the slat I5 by tongues 22 struck up from the corners of the plate 20. These tonguesare inserted through the aperture I6 and clinched. on the opposite face of slat I5 so as to secure.

the grommet I9 in position. For thepurpose of illustration, two of the tongues 22 are depicted before clinching, and two after clinching. The

plate 26 may be slightly arched to conform to, the shape of the slat I5. This modification had the advantage of not requiring eyeletting or other machines for insertion of the grommet.

In lieu of some or all of the apertures I6 and I1 in slat I5 as above described, one or more apertures 23 (see Fig. 9) may be formed in each slat I5. The aperture 23 consists of a transverse slot wider relative to the lift-cord I4 than the aperture I6, and having centrally converging opposite end portions 24 and 25. thicker bearing portion may be formed at these A smooth andv portions of aperture 23 by bending backtabs 26' struck from the slat I5, as shown in Fig. 9. It will be apparent that when the slats I5 are correctly aligned relative to the lift-cords I4, the. edges of aperture 23 will not engage lift-cords I4 except when the slats are in fully tilted position. Upon tilting of the slats I5, the centrally converging end portions 24 and 25 of the aperture 23 will engage the lift-cord and serve to correct any misalignment of the slats I5 relative to the lift-cords I4, thus maintaining the slats in alignment. An

aperture of the size and shape of aperture 23 is also advantageous when made as a plain stamped hole with tabs 26 eliminated.

The invention hereinabove described is par- I ticularly advantageous with steel or other relatively thin Venetian blind slats wherein the prob- V lem of preventing fraying of the lift-cords is particularly acute. However, this invention is also applicable to blind slats made of any other materials;

The slot, such as slot I6, should have a width I somewhat greater than the diameter of the liftcord, and it should have a length sufficient to; permit the slat to tilt at least 45 without flexing the lift-cord. I have found that the length of the slot should be at least three times the di-' cord. The apertures such as I! should be of such size and shape that the edges thereof are free of the lift-cord when the slat is tilted 45, and preferably, the edges should be free of the lift-cord .1

at all .times except, perhaps, when'the slat is fully tilted. I prefer that all diameters of holes assesses such as n *be'at -leaSt' three timestiie diameter of the lift-cord. Where an aperture suchas I7 I is-aroundv hole, I prefer that its diameter ibeap proximately-five times the diameter of the fliftcord.

What I claim is: i

In f'af-Venetian blind having-a pluralityi rof; sheet metal slats suspendedone above 'allother, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, and the apertures of the other series being round holes of a diameter approximately equal to the length of said slots, edge portions of the slots being smooth cordengaging means of greater thickness than the metal of the slats.

2. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, and the apertures of the other series being round holes of a diameter approximately equal to the length of said slots.

3. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, the width of the slots being somewhat greater than the lift-cord diameter and the length of the slots being over three times the lift-cord diameter, and the apertures of the other series being holes all diameters of which are over three times the lift-cord diameter.

4. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of thin sheet metal slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, the width of the slots being somewhat greater than the liftcord diameter and the length of the slots being over three times the lift-cord diameter, the apertures of the other series being holes all diameters of which are over three times the lift-cord diameter, and edge portions of the slots being smooth cord-engaging means of greater thickness than the metal of the slats.

5. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of thin sheet metal slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, the width of the slots being approximately twice the lift-cord diameter and the length of the slots being approximately five times the lift-cord diameter, the apertures of the other series being holes all diameters of which are approximately five times the lift-cord diameter, and edge portions of the slots being smooth cord-engaging means of greater thickness than the metal of the slats.

6. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improverrientwhichcompri'ses: the apertures of oneserIes being eloii'gatedslotsdisposed transverselyof the r slats tl'ie width of the'*'slots being: approximately. twice the lift -co'rd F diameterand tlie "leng'th coil 7 the s'lo'tsbeirig i approximately"fivetimesthe lif t Cora diameter, and the apertures or 1 the other,

seris 'beinghols all diameters of which are approximately five timesthe lift-cord diameter.

'7. In a Venetian'blind having a plurality 01' slats suspended one 'above another, the slats-collectively having series of aligned apertures:

of which are over three times the lift-cord diameter.

8. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of thin sheet metal slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift-cords extend, the improvement which comprises: the apertures of one series being elongated slots disposed transversely of the slats, the end portions of the slots including converging straight-line edge sections, the apertures of the other series being holes all diameters of which are over three times the lift-cord diameter, and the converging straight-line edge sections of the slots being smooth cord-engaging means of greater thickness than the metal of the slats.

9. In a Venetian blind, a head bar, a "bottom bar, a tilt bar tiltably mounted on said head bar,

ladder tapes depending from said tilt bar and secured to said bottom bar, a plurality of slats formed of thin sheet material having spaced apertures and supported on said ladder tapes, and lift-cords passing through said apertures to lift said bottom bar, a corresponding aperture of each of said slats consisting of a transverse slot, the sides of which are close to the lift-cord and maintain the slats longitudinally positioned, and the other apertures of each slat being sufiiciently large to maintain the edges of such aperture out of contact with said lift-cords except when the slats are in fully tilted position.

10. A slat for a Venetian blind, said slat comprising: a strip of sheet material having spaced apertures arranged along its length, one of said apertures being a transverse slot adapted to cooperate with a lift-cord passed therethrough for longitudinally positioning said slat, and the other apertures being sufficiently large to maintain the edges of said apertures out of contact with said lift-cord except when the slat is tilted more than 45 with respect to a lift-cord passed therethrough.

11. A slat for a Venetian blind, said slat comprising: a strip of sheet material having spaced apertures arranged along its length, one of said apertures being a transverse slot adapted to cooperate with a lift-cord passed therethrough for longitudinally positioning said slat, and the other apertures being round and of a diameter approximately equal to the length of said slot.

12. In a Venetian blind having a plurality of slats suspended one above another, the slats collectively having series of aligned apertures through which lift cords extend, the improvement which comprises: each of the slats of said plurality consisting of a slat as claimed in claim 10.

'13. In a Venetian blind having a plurality'of STATES PATENTS slats suspended one above another, the slats colu Name a Date. lectively having series of aligned apertures 2 017,210 Kirsch Oct. 15 1935. through which lift cords extend, the improvement 2:029 143 \Wicks Jan. 1936, which'comprises: each of the slats of said plu- 2 130:319 Hammer Sept. 13 1938 rality consisting of a slat as claimed in claim 11. 21165292 Morse et aL'find July 1939 HARRY F 2,304,534 Burns Dec. 3, 1942 REFERENCES CITED 2,401,283 Williams -a- May 28, 1946 Theifollowing references are of record in the file of this patent: 

